Nederland above average in early-voting turnout

Election signs fill the grassy area across from City Hall in Nederland, which is the polling site for early voters. The majority are urging yes and no votes to the NISD bond proposal. Photo taken Thursday, April 25, 2019 Kim Brent/The Enterprise less

Election signs fill the grassy area across from City Hall in Nederland, which is the polling site for early voters. The majority are urging yes and no votes to the NISD bond proposal. Photo taken Thursday, ... more

Photo: Kim Brent / The Enterprise

Photo: Kim Brent / The Enterprise

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Election signs fill the grassy area across from City Hall in Nederland, which is the polling site for early voters. The majority are urging yes and no votes to the NISD bond proposal. Photo taken Thursday, April 25, 2019 Kim Brent/The Enterprise less

Election signs fill the grassy area across from City Hall in Nederland, which is the polling site for early voters. The majority are urging yes and no votes to the NISD bond proposal. Photo taken Thursday, ... more

Photo: Kim Brent / The Enterprise

Nederland above average in early-voting turnout

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Voter turnout across Southeast Texas is a mixed bag this year, with Nederland above average — as expected — and Beaumont trending downward despite a high number of candidates and contested municipal races.

The city of Nederland has seen 1,742 of 11,657 registered voters cast their vote thus far, which city staff says is higher than previous years.

The city’s election is combined with the Nederland ISD race, which includes a contentious bond issue.

The proposed $155.6 million bond is the third time in a decade that a school bond issue has been put before voters in the city. They rejected it in 2009, split in 2012 approving $28 million for heating and cooling upgrades but declining $50 million to rebuild two schools.

This year, some residents against the bond say it would raise the cost of local goods and services as business owners compensate for the extra expense. Those in favor of the bond say they don’t want to lose the possibility of young couples relocating to the area because the schools aren’t up to par.

Nederland voters are also voting on a few City Council races and charter changes.

In Beaumont, City Clerk Tina Broussard said voting totals are down.

So far, 3,267 of 70,976 registered voters have voted.

“With all the people running I thought our totals were going to be higher,” Broussard said. “Hopefully our turnout will be better on Election Day.”

The city has 19 candidates for six contested races — at the higher end of what Broussard has seen during her time as city clerk.

She’s not sure why voter turnout would be down this year.

In Port Arthur, 876 of 28,174 voters have cast their vote. No one from the city could be reached to discuss how that compares to previous years.

Voters are choosing Port Arthur Port Commissioners and a Mayor.

Early voting in Southeast Texas continues through Tuesday. Election day is May 4.

Check back with The Beaumont Enterprise online for more updates on municipal elections across the area.